To-do master Merlin Mann says some tasks hang around undone for a long time because they make you cringe - so think them through and replace 'em with a less scary action:

Per cringe item, think honestly about why you re freaked out about it. Seriously. What s the hang-up? (Fear of failure? Dreading bad news? Angry you re already way overdue?) [...] Now, again, per cringe item, add a new TODO that will a) make the loathsome task less cringe-worthy, or b) just get the damned thing done.